This Week in Childcare

April 11, 2025
11:09 am

These are the information, deadlines, and announcements for the week of 7^th -11^th April 2025.

DEADLINESS / IMPORTANT DATES:

30^th April 2025: AIM information sessions with Better Start for parents

1^st May 2025: Nurturing Skills Learner Fund application process closes

7th May 2025: AIM information session with Better Start for EYP

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

April Early Years e-Bulletin

You can access this months Early Years Sectorial e-Bulletin through the link below. The e-Bulletin includes updates from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Education Inspectorate, Pobal and Tusla. Early Years Sectoral e-Bulletin April 2025 edition

Happy Talk

Please see attached a copy of this month’s Happy Talk Calendar Newsletter which focuses on the area of Pretend Play.

Nurturing Skills Learner Fund 2025 2026

The Nurturing Skills Learner Fund (NSLF) is now open to applicants for the academic year 2025/2026. NSLF will cover 90% of the course fees for successful applicants. Information on the Nurturing Skills Learner Fund can be found here.Applicants must contact NSLF@pobal.ie to request a link to register on the NSLF Student Portal, upload their employment details and complete the new application process. The application process closes on 1^st May 2025.

Easter break updates: NCS service calendar, returns; ECCE service calendar; CCSP Saver session amendments

NCS: Service calendar and returns

If your service is closed over the Easter period, this closure must be marked on the NCS calendar. You must note whether it is a subsidised (paid) closure or not. Changes cannot be made to service calendar opening hours or claim hours once a return for that week has been submitted on HIVE.

For more information, please see ‘How to add a closure’ on the NCS Service Calendar section of Help & Support.

If you require further assistance, please raise a Service Request

NCS: Updated bridging payments

A ‘bridging payment’ is available to service providers during periods of subsidised closure, if they are unavailable to submit their weekly NCS return, for example over Easter.

For guidance on returns, as well as updated guidance on bridging payments, please see the NCS Attendance Returns Guide.

ECCE Service Calendar

ECCE programme rules state that changes to the ECCE calendars must be first approved by the Childcare Care Committee and parents must be given 20 working days’ notice of any changes to the calendar. Copies of noticed must be kept on file for compliance purposes. Further information can be found on the ECCE Service Calendar section of Help & Support on HIVE

Further details can be seen on the Pobal Announcement published on 1^st April 2025

Upcoming Training Courses

AIM – Information session Service Providers

Westmeath & Longford County Childcare Committees together with Better Start will host an on-line information session for service providers interested in finding out about the AIM Programme.

This session will also include changes within AIM – AIM Plus & Non-term time.

This event will take place on Wednesday 30^th April 2025.

Bookings through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1272180579359?aff=oddtdtcreator

AIM – Information session for Parents

Westmeath & Longford County Childcare Committees together with Better Start will host an online information session for parents interested in finding out about the AIM programme.

The session will take place on Wednesday 7^th May @ 7pm.

Please share the attached poster with parents of children who may be interested in attending.

Booking through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1272192645449?aff=oddtdtcreator

Supporting Positive Behaviour in the ECCE setting- Online Event – 21^st May 2025

Westmeath CCC are delighted to welcome Dr. Mary O’Kane for an online webinar for early years educators on Supporting Positive Behaviour in the ECCE setting .

Date : Wednesday 21st May 2025

Time : 7pm -9pm.

Fee : €10

Tickets are available through Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/1311655931199?aff=oddtdtcreator